The Portland daily press., 1887-10-07
MEMORIALS pEsATE,
The Question Of Future Probation
on the Floor at Springfield.

| me QueStion W aeure probation
on the Floor at Springfield.
Or. Mckenzie Pictures the Evil Re-
suits of the Conservative Course.
Devout and Scholarly Young Men
Kept from the Mission Field.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, Oct. G-Todav the
question of the future probation of the bea-
then became the topic of discord again in
the deliberations of the American Board.
The issue was brought up by the reports Of
the committee, which examined the animal
| report of the Home Secretary. The commit
tee failed to agree, and there was a majority
and a minority report. The minority report
made by Prof. Boariman of. Chicago. con.
sidered that the Secretary's report affords
much encouragement to the friends of mis-
sions. Eighteen more missionaries have
been appointed than the average number for
the past twelve years, and II names were
added to the list Of missionaries, including
those returning to the mission fields. The
finances were not so favorable as last year.
the Sweet and Otis funds having been large
ly drawn on during the year to meet def
ciencies. Continuing, the report says: "We
reaffirm and fall bask upon the action taken
last year at Des Moines against the doctrine
| of future probation. Statements by rejected
candidates amply justify this action. ~he
Board adheres to its position at Des Moines,
and accepts the action of the prudential
committee, and recommends that committee
to be careful and to guard against any ap-
| proval of the doctrine of future probation. I"
| The report declares that the action of the
| Prudential Committee since the meeting last
year at Des Moines, has been in entire har-
mony invariably with the position then as
sumed by the Board.
The minority report differed from that of
the majority, really on the question of fu-
ture probation Of the heathen,. but the issue
was made with the assumption or usurpa-
tion by the Prudential Committee OF the
right to define orthodoxy, a right which 1t
thought belonged to the churches. Prof.
Fisher, in presenting the minority report,
| declared that the Home Secretary, in de-
Tending his position in regard to the action
! against the Andover professors, made per
| sonal matter of 1t, and to further his defence
suppressed the real facts in the controversy,
thus allowing false impression TO 90 abroad.
| There was much dissatisfaction over his
course, the report declares, even among CON
| servatiyes. This was, it says, the cause of
the resignation of the late Alpheus Hardy
| from the Prudential Committee. Prof
Fisher declared that the Board was not sy-
nod or tribunal to define orthodoxy, and in
doing so it usurped the power that belonged
/ to the churches.
1t was moved to accept the majority report
but Prof. Fisher interposed motion to
| adopt the minority report as a substitute.
| On this motion the first great debate of the
| session began.
| Rev. DR.. Cheever was the first speaker, ad-
vocatlng more liberty in thought and action,
| so as not to exclude men from carrying the
| gospel to the mission fields.
Prof. Fisher inquired: "Why should the
| Prudential Committee determine question
OF theology? The members of this Board
are not authorized representatives of the
church. 1t is not Venetian State. 1t may
be said that they do not define theology, but
only require such as is current in our church
es They must be satisfied as to all the quail
ifcations of man, and doctrine is only one
OF them. The most important question
however, is, what sort of a person is the
candidate, and what use will he make of
| speculative doctrines? That is, we have no
use for cranks. We must use large COM
mon sense. This is the only safe course for
the Board, AS to this and other such doubt
| ful views that are coming up,as premillenial-
ism, inspection of the Pentateueh, etc. We
shall have our hands full If we make our
selves theological court We should leave
| the r>.iential Committee unfettered by any
resolution. If not, the churches will have
| to resume their prerogative of deciding by
council or general assembly This will be a
step toward Presbyterianism. We can't
keep the blessings Of Congregationalism, if
The spesEer Insight Re voiced aTge dis
satisfaction with the doings Of the commit
tee.
Prof. Boardman, of the Chicago Theologi
cal Seminary, differed with Prof Fisher.
we are trying to evangelize the world"
SAID he, and we must do it with certain
NEn a and flA arrA
gospel. A railroad corporation. as such,
doesn't make iron, but must test it If the
passengers are to be safe. The idea that we
have nothing to do with theology is prepos-
ferrous. Now the question Is, will it be wise
to introduce this new theology to lie along
side that TO which we have been used?' They
are not consistent with each other, and the
old one is better"
Rev. E: G.. Parker d. d., of Hartford,
pleaded for those who held the hypothesis.
not the doctrine, of future probation. "You
nave TO reckon" said he, mot only with poor
Andover. but with all liberals all over the
country" He heard two drunken men on
the street complaining that this meeting
and now blamed If they aint discussing
prohibition after DEATH" Let the American
Board rest squarely an the basis where the
fathers placed it. We must not take our po-
sitlon on each end of the board and go see
saving for them. There will be danger of
crack IN the board. DIR. Parker continued:
The question at issue in the discussion is
SIMPLY, Shall the Board bind itself by res
olutions which may be passed by two
thirds vote; to refuse all candidates for mis-
sionary service who cannot affirm belief in
the doctrine that probation necessarily ends
ior all men at death Will you sanction in
the Board the methods of a political caucus
In attempting to run things? The new de-
partpre is one which the Board itself made
for the purpose of defining theology
hev. Dr. Taylor, of New York, said the
nam question is, whom shall we send to
preach the gospel2" He thought the
doctrine would affect the preaching Of candi-
date- Repentance and remission of sins
should be preached. God found us under
condemnation and offers salvation on the
condltlon e OF repentance. II missionary
and they ask Were our ancestors sim
nersp He must reply. yes" Then may
come the question:, 'are they under con-
d.emnationP" Yes" They may then ask,
pose preachers should answer in the affirm
astiVe, wnat more natural reJoinder than
then they. couldn't have been under con-
demnation." Paul says God hath condemn
OF responsibility. Christ is the light of
every ever man who ever came into the world.
whenever there is light there is sin. The
views OF candidates on these questions may
pc De Ialrly regarded as part OF their doctrine.
Tendencies are stronger than individuals.
Ihlnk there would be progress in the direc
tion OF more errors. The Prudential Com
mittee should be urged to look as well to the
theological fitness OF candidates as of old.
The last speaker of the morning, Rev. DIR.
George L. Walker of Hartford, argued that
the new doctrine is as old as the second CEN
tury. The idea spread about abroad in relig-
ious papers that it is a novelty is a gross
misconception which has greatly mislead
the minds of church members. The doctrine
is held by leading men in England, by those
who have done so much to roll back the tide
of German infidelity. This is the time for the
illogical concession.
Notwithstanding the late adjournment of
the forenoon meeting, at p. m. every seat
and inch of room was occupied this after
noon.
Thomas Lawrie, formerly missionary in
Syria, offered feeling prayer, asked God TO
show what doctrine he would have pro-
claimed. If
An overflow meeting was held in the First
church.
DIR. Behrends, of Brooklyn, continued the
discussion. He said: Long as man has
head he will speculate. 1t may be danger
Gus, but it is gift about whose use one must
be cautious. There should be no specnla-
tion not backed up by facts. Speculation
must not go against the clear teaching of